The Pharmaceuticals Society of Zambia – PSZ has backed the Ministry of Health – MOH decision to switch to the new ARV regiment which is superior, further calling for a complete scrapping off of the earlier dosage of Zidovudine-Lamivudine which some patients are still taking.
This follows the MOH interim guidance on Anti-Retroviral Therapy in the absence of Zidovudine-Lamivudine 300/150. PSZ further stated that the new Anti-Retroviral Therapy – ART is cost effective and more user friendly as patients will only need to take the dosage once a day compared to multiple times a day.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with the Zambian Business Times-ZBT, Pharmaceuticals Society of Zambia President Kennedy Saini explained that the newer molecules being recommended (Anti-Retroviral Therapy) are much safer adding that even the burden on patients is lesser as compared to the old molecule.
The Ministry of health disclosed that it has faced a delay in the shipment of Zidovudine/Lamivudine (ZDV/3TC) 300g/150mg an ARV combination agent used as part of a three drug regiment used for managing individuals on second line ART, a statement that ignited debate that the country’s hospitals which are reported to be already experiencing drug shortages have now also run out of ARVs.
The National HIV program has since recommended the following as an interim mitigation measure for individuals receiving the commodite combined with either a boosted protcase inhibitor-Bpi) Atazanavir-ritonanvir (ATV-r) or Lopinavir-Retonavir (LPV-r) or Dolutegravir (DTG:
Individuals who are virally surpressed on AZT/37’C/Bpi and receiving health care from facilities which do not have ZZT/3TC in stock to be switched to Tenofovir DisoproxilFumarate/ Lamivudine/Dolutegravir (TLD) or Tenofovir Alafenamide/Entricitabine/Dlutegravir (TAFED) while maintaining the Bpi component.
Ministry of health PS technical-services Prof. Lackson Kasonka said individuals supplied with this interim regimen could have their antiretroviral therapy reversed to the standards AZT+3tc+Bpi once the AZT+3TC stock status normalize.
When asked on the implications this may have on patients, PSZ President told ZBT that the new molecule which is being recommended is actually better and more superior than the old one when it comes to side effects and efficacy.
He added that there is no need to switch back the patients to the old molecule even when stock normalises as the old molecule is being phasing out globally and the new molecule is now being promoted. The new molecule only requires patients to take it once that the old one which requires 3 times a day.
“So really from where we stand, if patients are switched to the new molecule, there is no need to go back to the old molecules. The old molecules are actually phasing out globally and there is no need for Zambia to remain on the old molecules. In fact, there is a high likelihood that when patients go back to the old ones when stocks come, their the outcomes would be comprised, side effects would be more severe and the viral suppression will not be achieved.” Saini told ZBT.
